From Jan. 1 through August 2015, Cambodia reported 7,799 dengue fever cases. In 2014, the country saw 2,227 cases,

“We see a significant increase in dengue fever cases in this year’s rainy season, but the surge is at a controllable level,” according to Huy Rekol, director of the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control.

The vast majority of cases, eight out of 10, have been reported from the following cities/provinces: Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, Kampong Speu, Prey Veng, Kandal, Siem Reap and Banteay Meanchey.

Dengue virus is transmitted by female mosquitoes mainly of the species Aedes aegypti and, to a lesser extent, A. albopictus.

The World Health Organization says there are 4 distinct, but closely related, serotypes of the virus that causedengue (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4). Recovery from infection by one provides lifelong immunity against that particular serotype.

However, cross-immunity to the other serotypes after recovery is only partial and temporary. Subsequent infections by other serotypes increase the risk of developing severe dengue.